16 year old travelling unaccompanied- do they need a letter or form for border control?

[DameEtna]

Can't seem to find the answer online unfortunately!

My DC (age 16) is flying alone from the UK to France to stay with friends. DC has a British passport and lives in the uk.

I know that when their French friend (also 16 and a resident of France) flies to the UK they have to show various forms signed by their parents in order to get through border control.

Does anyone know if there are any forms or documents my DC would have to show either in the UK or France with them being a minor?

I'm terrified they might not get through border control either in the UK or France!

Thanks x

My Ds travelled alone last year to meet his dad for a trip
he was questioned a lot - where was he going, who he was meeting etc
In hindsight I would have sent him with a signed letter from me / dad explaining why he was travelling alone etc
my DS is super resilient so didn’t mind the questions bur maybe warn your son before he goes or expect it
its good that border security are vigilant around child travellers

Under 18s who live in France (any nationality) need an official form to leave the country. This is what your DC' pen friend has. Your DC doesn't need it because they are not résident in France.

Super helpful responses- thanks. DC is quite shy so I will send him with a comprehensive letter - and the expectation that he may be grilled at passport control!

Yes, definitely do a letter to be on the safe side. Slightly different but we had a situation at Heathrow last year when we took dd's friend on holiday. Both were 16 at the time, and no problem on the way out, but we were stopped and grilled quite aggressively in the queue at UK border control on the way back in, long before we'd got anywhere near presenting our (British) passports. Apparently we should have had a letter from her parents confirming their consent for her to travel with us. I must admit it hadn't even occurred to me that it would be a problem at that age, especially given that she is very much able to explain herself. DD flew alone at 12 (met by relatives at both ends) without a problem, but I think things have got quite a bit tighter in the last few years..

Our daughter flew with 2 friends aged 15. We did a letter for her just in case but it wasn't needed. On way back into UK at passport control they were gently questioned about who was picking them up ( my husband) and if they were all happy to go with him.

Friends who took an under 18 friend on holiday were refused check in by EasyJet until a parent was able to email a letter of consent.

Hi,
my daughter is 16 and she will finish her gcses by next week. We want her to travel by herself by plane to france and switzerland so she can visit our family. I really want to know if it is possible for her to travel by herself and what airlines are fine with it and if heathrow or luton airport allow this. I also need to know if any documents are needed for her such as a letter from me etc. is there certain documents that are needed for france or switzerland? Does easyjet allow 16 yrs olds if any of you know? If easyjet dosent but a different airline does please let me know.
thank you so much!

Wow times have changed. I flew to Italy Lone aged 16 in the early 2000 and nobody batted an eyelid.

There's lots of info on the Easyjet website - they regard passengers over the age of 16 to be adults and allow these to fly unaccompanied.